Provost Communication: Monday, September 14, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

Thank you to all the faculty and staff of Academic Affairs (and some colleagues from partner divisions) who joined us for last Thursday’s Academic Affairs Welcome Back event. I hope you experienced a balance of meaningful substance along with lighthearted fun together.

Our conversations and reflections were guided by the theme of the event, Rooted in Purpose, Rising Toward the Future (you may recognize this theme as an evolution of last Spring’s WSCUC Accreditation Reaffirmation theme, which was Rooted & Rising Together). Colleagues from around the room shared reflections on bright spots of this past year, as well as shared thoughts about important work ahead. 

Looking ahead, I shared an overview of important budget work that Academic Affairs is initiating this year. It involves four phases: 1) establishing a shared-governance budget planning practice; 2) addressing our long-standing divisional structural deficit associated with relying on one-time dollars to fund a significant portion of our class schedule; 3) developing a multi-year budget plan; and 4) exploring how we may sustainably move toward a dynamic budget model that expands and contracts with changes in enrollment. 

The first phase of this critical budget work begins with consultative sessions across our division to help design a shared governance approach to Academic Affairs budget planning. Calendar invitations have already begun going out to units across the division. I hope you will participate so that input reflects as many perspectives as possible.

As I mentioned, the event was intended to be both substantive and fun (even downright silly at times), so I share here a list of responses to the closing discussion “Table Time Prompt #3: Connection+Joy,” and acknowledge that our colleagues brought plenty of creativity and a healthy sense of humor to our reception with their responses!

Beneath the fun responses was a clear and meaningful theme: our colleagues want more opportunities to gather, laugh, collaborate, get outside, and build connections across Academic Affairs. Thank you to everyone who helped us begin the year with such creativity, joy, and community spirit. Cheers to you all!

Sincerely, 

Shawna